Prairies at their Peak!
July 21, 2019
Mid-July is the most spectacular time to be in the tallgrass prairies of western Ohio. These wildflower-filled habitats are painted in every hue of the rainbow, courtesy of purple and prairies coneflowers, wild bergamot, spiked blazingstar, various milkweeds and many others. Star of the botanical show is the spectacular royal catchfly, a towering member of the pink family. Its brilliant crimson flowers are an irresistible allure to ruby-throated hummingbirds – the plant’s primary pollinator. This is also the best time to visit fens – rare wetlands which are fed by artesian springs. Fens are chock full of rarities, including many plants that occur only in these habitats. We will visit one of the very best of Ohio’s few remaining fens.
Itinerary
We will meet at the parking lot at Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve. A mile long trail system, including a partial boardwalk, bisects the best habitats of the fen and surrounding prairie. After we’re done here, we’ll reconvene at Young’s Dairy – great restaurant and world famous ice cream! – which is en route to the next site. Following lunch, it’s off the amazing Huffman Prairie, a 100 acre site that is among the richest prairies left in the state.
Photographic equipment As always, please review the basic features of your camera and become familiar with basic operations such as changing aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Debbie and Jim are patient teachers and always ready to help, but advance preparation can reduce the amount of time necessary to deal with basic camera operations.
What’s included
- Photo instructions, guidance and field techniques
- Meal (lunch)
- Critiques upon request
- Editing instruction
What’s not included
- Items of a personal nature
- Transportation to/from/during the workshop
Weather and other conditions Expect warm to hot weather, and although rain is unlikely at this time of year, be prepared in case. We’ll go out rain or shine. Walking is easy, and involves mostly flat terrain. Expect about a mile round trip at both sites, at the most. Progress will probably not be rapid – there is so much to see and photograph at both sites that managing more than a snail’s pace is often difficult!
Interesting natural history highlights Royal catchfly in full bloom will certainly be a highlight. So will myriad hummingbirds visiting its blossoms. A rare treat will be the chance to see and photograph the very rare salmon-pink variant of the royal catchfly. As we will encounter dozens of species of flowering plants, we will also see a great many interesting pollinating insects, butterflies, moths, etc. As well as many other photogenic insects, all of which make for wonderful macrophotography. The fen, especially, is loaded with many very rare plant species. In addition to creating lots of captivating imagery, we will learn lots about the interesting natural history of prairies and fens. Both of these habitats are the rarest of the rare: it is estimated that about 99.9% of Ohio’s prairies have been lost, and over 90% of our fens.
Enrollment Information
Deposit and Full Payment
All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. Deposits can be made using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card. Final payment for your trip is due 90 days prior to departure.
1 and 3 day workshops- full payment, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to reserve your spot.
4 days+ tours – your deposit, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to hold your spot. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you sign up for a tour within 90 days of departure, the entire amount is due when you register.
Cancellations and Refunds
We understand that unforeseen events may come up and prevent you from attending the workshop/tour. If you need to cancel, we must receive written notification. Refunds will be processed according to these schedules:
One and three-day workshops (full payment paid in advance)
- 30 days or more prior to the first day of the event - we will provide a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – we will issue you a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees) if your vacancy is filled.
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – if we cannot fill your vacancy, we will issue you a 50% refund (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
If for some reason an event is cancelled, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. However, we cannot be responsible for any non-refundable travel expenses you may have incurred.
Tours longer than three-days (deposit paid in advance and final payment paid 120 days prior):
- 121+ days prior to departure – refunded less 6% for administration and fees
- 120 to 90 days prior to departure – refunded 50%
- 90 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND
No partial refunds for unused services, lodging, meals, etc. Trips are sold as a package only.
Travel Insurance
Travel protection insurance is recommended to protect your investment. Travelguard.com and allianztravelinsurance.com are 2 options that provide various types of coverage options.
In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your money will be refunded in full, with the exception of expenses you personally incurred while preparing for the trip.
Health Considerations
Most of our trips will involve elements of physical activity easily accomplished by the average person in good health. While some of our locations are near a road or parking lot, some are not. PLEASE be sure you are comfortable walking over uneven rocky terrain with your gear for 30 – 45 minutes at a time. We may shoot at all hours of the day and night (we try to take advantage of the best weather and light conditions), which may not be typical for some participants. Specific considerations are included in the description of each workshop/tour.
Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy. Therefore, trip cancellation and interruption insurance is recommended.
Smoking is not permitted in group vehicles, during meals, and at other times when secondhand smoke can affect the health and comfort of others.
Costs
Information about what is included/not included are summarized in the individual descriptions of each workshop/tour.
Trips that include overnight accommodations will be double occupancy. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you request a single room.
Because of deposits forwarded and liabilities incurred by Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac with hotels, local guides, transportation, etc. no partial refunds will be given for unused rooms, meals, transportation, etc.
Weather policy
We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Locations have been scouted and options are in place in case of uncooperative weather. Without putting participants at risk, the workshop will commence rain or shine, cold or warm, clear skies or cloudy. Refunds will not be issued because of the weather.
Responsibility
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography act only as agents for the client in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac are not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy.
Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.
The Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks forms must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks, with no trip fee refund. No modification of the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form will be accepted.
